Random Orbital Buffer Question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
That's a nice package. I would compare amperage on the motors as well as if you can adjust the RPMs. I have one that was the Meguiars package several years ago (ten) and its still works fine. It has an adjustable RPM dial.
There are reasons prices differ and can arrange from screwin you to more functional and better quality parts (chinese vs American).
There are reasons prices differ and can arrange from screwin you to more functional and better quality parts (chinese vs American).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i use two different ones....a straight buffer/polisher and the griots orbital unit.........i use the straight buffer polisher for deep cleaning and then the orbital for final polishing and waxing.....i bought an assortment of foam pads of different densities...they are all hook and loop and i interchange them.
if you are scared of ruining your paint the griots is a good unit and it will stop turning before you have ruined your paint....the straright buffer polisher will burn through paint in you are not careful.
if you are scared of ruining your paint the griots is a good unit and it will stop turning before you have ruined your paint....the straright buffer polisher will burn through paint in you are not careful.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
i use two different ones....a straight buffer/polisher and the griots orbital unit.........i use the straight buffer polisher for deep cleaning and then the orbital for final polishing and waxing.....i bought an assortment of foam pads of different densities...they are all hook and loop and i interchange them.
if you are scared of ruining your paint the griots is a good unit and it will stop turning before you have ruined your paint....the straright buffer polisher will burn through paint in you are not careful.
if you are scared of ruining your paint the griots is a good unit and it will stop turning before you have ruined your paint....the straright buffer polisher will burn through paint in you are not careful.
), the Griot's unit is a "random orbital polisher" (also called a "random orbital buffer") and is the Porter-Cable 7336 (which is the same as the 7424, but with a Velcro backing plate and a larger counterweight, both of which can be bought separately and installed on the 7424 to turn it into a 7336 if you like). The "straight buffer/polisher" that you're referring to is a "rotary/direct-drive buffer" (or polisher) and, because it can burn your paint, needs to be used with care.I bought the 7424 on sale and it came with the 6" counterweight at no extra charge, and that turned the 7424 into pretty much the same unit as the Griot's unit. I also bought a kit of foam polishing pads and a quick disconnect adapter to make changing the pads easy. I don't need the velcro backing plate because of the polishing pad kit that I bought, but I could've bought it too (and then I'd have a 7336, same as Griot's sells). Oh yeah, the Griot's comes with a plastic case - I bought a metal case for, I think, $15. So I ended up getting a little better setup than the Griot's for less money.
Last edited by VCuomo; Sep 4, 2007 at 10:25 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Excellent replies from all, as usual.
I went to local Home Depot (no Lowe's nearby that I know of) and they had no Porter Cable polishers.
The manager of the tool department there started talking to me and asked what I was going to polish and it turns out he owns a 76 Vette and told me to buy the Griots polisher so that is what I ordered with the Red and the Orange foam pad with the velcro back.
VCuomo, excellent description of the differences.
Anxious to put a coat of wax or two on my baby as it has only been waxed once since the new paint job last year.
The Benz will get waxed too and then wifey's car. Need to play with the new toy.
MY son just bought new black Silverado pickup and he already wants to borrow the polisher and it isn't even here yet.
Thanks for all the advice,
Kurt
I went to local Home Depot (no Lowe's nearby that I know of) and they had no Porter Cable polishers.
The manager of the tool department there started talking to me and asked what I was going to polish and it turns out he owns a 76 Vette and told me to buy the Griots polisher so that is what I ordered with the Red and the Orange foam pad with the velcro back.
VCuomo, excellent description of the differences.
Anxious to put a coat of wax or two on my baby as it has only been waxed once since the new paint job last year.
The Benz will get waxed too and then wifey's car. Need to play with the new toy.
MY son just bought new black Silverado pickup and he already wants to borrow the polisher and it isn't even here yet.
Thanks for all the advice,
Kurt
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